AI: The Top 9 (again) sing the King

It’s the top 9. . . again.

Since the judges used their one save to rescue Michael Lynche last week, we’re stuck with the same ole crew. Except two contestants will be going home this week, so it’s a “big night” as Ryan puts it.

To make things even more interesting, the theme of the week is Elvis songs. The King. They’re going to let this season’s contestants murder Elvis’ music. And Adam Lambert is the mentor. Everyone is going to scream and stick out their tongues. Well, maybe not, but it is a legitimate fear.

As a child who grew up listening to Elvis 45s on her Fisher Price record player, this might be the week that kills me. You just don’t mess with the King. You just don’t.

(As a sidenote: Adam Lambert’s eyebrows are way too groomed and shaped for a man.)

(Second sidenote: Ryan is awkward with Adam.)

Crystal Bowersox “Saved” Adam: awesome voice, “so authentic, so real;” use electric and try to surprise people. • Crystal’s eye makeup is a little weird tonight • gospely songs suit her, but the Janis Joplin comparisons will be all over the place after this performance • Probably not her best performance, but nice and she looked like she had fun Randy: “That’s the way to come out and give it up.” Ellen: fantastic Kara: Another solid performance Simon: “You chose something that suited you and put your own slant on it. Congratulations once again.”

Andrew Garcia “Hound Dog” Adam: It’s boring; it’s totally boring. (I totally agree.) “He needs to step his game up.” • Why pick this song? It’s identifiably Elvis and he can’t do it better and the “different” stuff he does isn’t different enough or amazing enough • Vocals are OK, but Andrew seems stuck in a range that’s only comprised of a few notes • It’s a decent performance and technically fine, but Andrew needed great and it just wasn’t. Randy: That was definitely not good karaoke. Ellen: I wish you’d put a little more swagger in it; thought you pulled it off. Kara: It’s Elvis, you’ve got to own it. I wanted to feel more from that performance. Simon: I thought it was lazy, unpredictable.

Tim Urban “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” Adam: Unique sound to his voice, some pretty guitar work; pushed him to do the end in his head voice, staying up in the falsetto. • This is one of my mom’s favorites, so Tim better not ruin it • I don’t like the way he’s doing his phrasing • Nice change to melody and smart, since I don’t know if doing it straight would have done anything for his voice • Nice big note, but he didn’t take Adam’s advice about the end. . . • I think it’s his best performance so far, though Randy: This may surprise you, I actually like it. Ellen: I really enjoyed it. Beautiful. Kara: Probably my favorite Tim performance every. Authentic, real, current. Simon: Beautiful.

Lee Dewyze “Little Less Conversation” Adam: Lee is great, but needs to perform. Show a little personality. Pushes him to be sexy, bluesy, and “playful.” • I kind of have a tiny crush on Lee • Nice vocals • Some personality, but there could be so much more • ending was a bit anticlimactic • David Cook or Michael Johns would have left the ladies panting on this song, but Lee just leaves them mildly bemused. Randy: You are in the zone. Ellen: You made that so current. Kara: I loved it. You went for it vocally tonight. Simon: On the money full stop.

Aaron Kelly “Blue Suede Shoes” Adam: His voice is really great; I underestimated him. He doesn’t quite believe in himself yet. • I don’t know that this was a good song choice (I would have picked some obscure Elvis song); IT feels a little karaoke • vocals are nice, but if you listen to the words the voice needs some edge, some dirtiness and Aaron doesn’t have it • I think Aaron needs to be on Glee. He’d be awesome on there. Randy: The blues part fit your voice really well. Ellen: Big song to take on; not all the way there, but a good job Kara: You’re out of your comfort zone and I like it. Simon: Old-fashioned song; old-fashioned arrangement.

Siobahn Magnus “Suspicious Minds” Adam: She’s got the pipes, but it feels a little bit sleepy. • Siobahn has tried to create a weird Elvis-esque pompadour. . . • And her speaking voice reminds me of Juliette Lewis, who annoys me • Verses are OK, much better in the chorus • One of her screams in the middle/end of the song was not on pitch • Ending is nice! Randy: That girl can sing right there! Ellen: Liked the second half a lot more than I liked the first half Kara: I wasn’t crazy about it. Simon: This was like a completely different person. The first part of the song was terrible and when you hit some of those big notes later on, you didn’t quite hit them. This was not one of your best performances.

Michael Lynche “In the Ghetto” Adam: Pick it up as a storyteller, let the actor come out. • I hated this song when I was a child. HATED IT! It’s just so sad. • Nice, understated • There’s something in the tambor of Michael’s voice that I don’t like and I can’t put my finger on it • Nice control on runs at the end, but a tiny bit forgettable. Randy: Song was a little sleepy, but those were hot vocals. Ellen: I’m glad we saved you. Kara: Beautiful song; you sang it well. Simon: A million, billion times better than last week.

Katie Stevens “Baby, what you want me to do” Adam: Let the anger out! Just sell it a little more, make us believe it. • Outfit is terrible • Vocals seem on for the most part • as a sidenote, someone told me that I could be Katie’s big sister last week, that we looked alike. Weird, huh? • Good performance. Randy: Nice vocals. Entertaining. Ellen: Man you can sing. That was great. Kara: Good job. Simon: Found it very loud, a bit annoying.

Casey James “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” Adam: Build more of an arc into it; something that gives it more of a climax at that moment. • The beginning is rough, in my opinion • I think Casey might have prettier hair than me • Sometimes, he sings at the back of his throat and it annoys me a bit Randy: Solid performance Ellen: Wasn’t as exciting as I would like, but you’re always good. Kara: That fell short for me. Simon: A wasted opportunity, but your vocal was good.

Best of the night: Crystal, Lee, and—gasp!—Tim

Going home: Andrew Garcia and maybe Siobahn